The BYU Cougars are one of the great forgotten programs in college basketball history. While they aren’t exactly a national power, the Cougars rarely go long periods without working their way into the top-25, serving as a friendly reminder that they aren’t going away. Cheap BYU basketball tickets are a rarity because the fanbase always believes that the team has a chance to reach the NCAA Tournament and make noise on the national stage. The Cougars have also had their fair share of star players over the years, which is why scoring last-minute BYU basketball tickets is always a good idea for fans who enjoy watching quality basketball.

Stan’s the Man

In many ways, modern BYU basketball history begins with head coach Stan Watts, who took over the program in 1949. He took the Cougars to the Elite Eight in his first two seasons while also winning the NIT championship in his second season (yes, while also reaching the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament). Watts coached BYU for over two decades, staying through the 1972 campaign while also winning the NIT in 1966.

Golden Boys

In recent decades, BYU basketball has been largely defined by two players, Danny Ainge and Jimmer Fredette, who both won National Player of the Year Honors while playing for the Cougars. Ainge did great things as a player and GM in the NBA, but before that, he carried BYU to the Elite Eight for the first time in 30 years. While the Cougars had some decent seasons after that, they never came close to matching Ainge’s accomplishments until Fredette arrived. During his junior and senior seasons, the Cougars went a combined 62-10, once again putting BYU basketball on the map.